This summer is shaping up to be a busy one for OSHA, which has gone public with its intention to move forward on several proposed and final rules.

According to the Regulatory Agenda issued July 3, OSHA intends to publish or take other actions on the following rules in the next few months:

July:

• Silica (notice of proposed rulemaking)
• NAICS Update and Reporting Revisions (final rule)
• Electric Power Transmission and Distribution; Electrical Protective Equipment (final rule)
• Revision to the recording requirements in the Mechanical Power Press Standard (NPRM and final rule)
• Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses (NPRM)

August:

• Review of chemical standards (Request for Information)
• Infectious Diseases (Initiate Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act review)

September:

• Amendments to the Cranes and Derricks in Construction Standard (NPRM)

For those keeping count, that’s as many as three final rules and four NPRMs planned by the end of the summer. None of this is set in stone, and OSHA often misses its goals. But these are the most standards I’ve seen this close to receiving significant movement in a while.

And the summer is just for starters – OSHA also plans to make significant movement on some of its most anticipated standards (including the Injury and Illness Prevention Program and Combustible Dust standards) later this fall and winter. I’ll be writing about those two standards – and some others – in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.

The opinions expressed in "Washington Wire" do not necessarily reflect those of the National Safety Council or affiliated local Chapters.